Biological effects of essential oil from Pulicaria wightiana (DC.) C.B. Clarke against juvenile stages of three mosquito vectors and its toxicity to mosquito predators
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Vector-borne diseases have had a profound global impact causing millions of deaths each year. Essential oils (EOs) offer a promising alternative due to their natural properties. The EO collected from Pulicaria wightiana (DC.) C.B. Clarke was tested for its toxicity against the early life stages of three important vectors of diseases. METHODS: Concentrations of 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 ppm were tested for their mosquitocidal properties. RESULTS: The EO from P. wightiana displayed 100% ovicidal mortality against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quin-quefasciatus and Aedes aegypti eggs at 50 ppm concentration within 24 hours; it was similar to that of temephos the positive control. Strong mosquitocidal toxicity was observed, with LC 50 values of 8.22, 13.27 and 10.80 ppm for larvae of Culex, Anopheles and Aedes , respectively at 24 hours. Caryophyllene oxide (22.44) and D-Limonene (19.08) were the main components in the EO accountable for the observed mosquitocidal toxicity. Toxicity studies indicated that the EO from P. wightiana did not adversely affect the tested predators. Additionally, the EO-mediated formulation presented strong ovicidal (100%) and larvicidal (89-95%) activities with no toxicity to natural predators such as Gambusia affinis and Poecilia reticulata at 24 hours. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the significance of plant-derived EO from P. wightiana as environmentally friendly and effective tool in combating mosquito-borne diseases, especially in regions facing resource constraints.
Source: Journal of Vector Borne Diseases
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415274412
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